The use of picture books would be beneficial in my special education classroom because many students with disabilities can hear a story and may know how to read and understand, but have difficulties picturing what the story is talking about. By having pictures accompanying a book on their grade level (ie. middle school), they could possibly read age appropriate books and be capable of understanding the key elements of the book such as characters, plot, conflict, climax, resolution. Furthermore, illustrations can help students increase their vocabulary and learn about different literary strategies in a way that is applicable and enjoyable.

Zoom In Zoom Out

Zoom In: Picture Books are used to illustrate what the text is saying in a way that students can comprehend. Writers use techniques and strategies when they are writing to make a big picture- the story.

The article talks about how zooming in on some stories may allow students to literally see the details (ie. two girls that are friends).

Zooming in on a picture in a book may allow students to see how good writing and techniques (“little things”) can make a big picture.

Zooming in on the picture may bring the student’s attention to an underlying theme or meaning in a poem. Poetry can be challenging for students, especially those in a special education classroom.

Zooming in and looking at pictures that accompany a piece of writing may help clear up any misconceptions or confusion.

Zoom Out: Many students struggle with books that use elevated language or methods of writing that may make the point vague and confusing.

Pictures in a book may provide students with a thorough understanding of how the techniques that a writer used served their purpose. For example, a writer may have used similes and when a picture was drawn showing the comparison of one object to another, students would understand how the simile made it easier to understand the way an object was because it could be compared to another more familiar object.

Zooming out helps students see how the little details that are displayed in the picture relate to the story as a whole.

The article talks about how zooming out allows students to see how details, such as two girls that are friends, really represent an allegory and they are used to describe a traumatic/historical event, like the Holocaust.